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Original poster

Year 7 finishing at 4pm

54 replies

Generalpost · 06/09/2021 11:25

I'm probably being a snow flake. But dd who's 11. has just started year 7. And I only just realised that enrichment classes are compulsory they finish at 4pm. My concern is we live in a rough area of London . And I worry about her coming home. She would get home around 4.45-5pm. And I worry more for the winter when it gets dark early. I'm not able to collect her as I don't drive and have younger children. One with special needs. I just think it's a bit much for a child who's just left primary. Maybe in a couple of weeks I will wounder why I was worried. But I really thought enrichment was a choice 🤔

OP posts:

DobieGrayshark · 06/09/2021 11:28

I haven’t heard of enrichment classes but my secondary children finish before 3 and I wish it was a bit later as it’s seems so early. Hopefully before it starts to get dark that early she will find friends to walk with so she won’t be alone.

SheWoreYellow · 06/09/2021 11:29

Someone needs to be alone though, at the end of the walk, unless you walk with your next door neighbour.

Palavah · 06/09/2021 11:29

It won't be dark at that time for a good while yet. What's her route home like - is it all walking or bus /train/tube?

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victoriaspongecake · 06/09/2021 11:31

Learn to drive?
Taxi share with a friend?

Original poster

Generalpost · 06/09/2021 11:32

@SheWoreYellow

Someone needs to be alone though, at the end of the walk, unless you walk with your next door neighbour.

Sorry I don't understand?

OP posts:

ChnandlerBong · 06/09/2021 11:34

think the post meant that someone needs to be 'at home' not 'alone'? good idea.

4pm (rather than 3.30 pm) is not a big deal IMO. It will be dark in the winter regardless of when they walk home. main thing is to encourage sensible route taking. make sure they know phone has to be out of sight etc.

I think it sounds great actually?sounds like new school being v proactive to ensure any gaps in knowledge are addressed early?

Original poster

Generalpost · 06/09/2021 11:34

@Palavah

It won't be dark at that time for a good while yet. What's her route home like - is it all walking or bus /train/tube?

It's walk bus walk . Where the school is and where I live so basically the whole area . There's some sort of stabbing or attack almost every week.

OP posts:

Turtletales · 06/09/2021 11:35

I've just looked at a school in london and its completely changed my mind as I've seen that they don't finish until 4 and would need to get 2 buses. It is very worrying.

Original poster

Generalpost · 06/09/2021 11:36

@victoriaspongecake

Learn to drive? Taxi share with a friend?

I can't drive on shit I have no road sense I'm probably the only person who can fail 9 times in an automatic 🙈

Can't afford taxi

OP posts:

SheWoreYellow · 06/09/2021 11:38

No I was replying to the post above about walking with a friend.

I meant that finding a friend to walk with doesn’t solve the problem as there will be someone left to walk alone at the end of the walk unless they live next door.

BluebellsGreenbells · 06/09/2021 11:38

If she’s walking around 5 there will be a lot of commuters about

Most stabbing or crime are personal rather than random - she’s unlikely to be attacked

Why not consider defense classes of some sort? Our local gym does defense classes for woman - how to remove yourself from X Y Z ‘holds’ how to attract attention etc

Why not try FB and see if you can get a club up to the school? One days training and they’ll gain so confidence?

Why not be the person who makes a difference?

Original poster

Generalpost · 06/09/2021 11:39

@ChnandlerBong

think the post meant that someone needs to be 'at home' not 'alone'? good idea.

I think it sounds great actually?sounds like new school being v proactive to ensure any gaps in knowledge are addressed early?

The school would normally finish at 2.55. And yeah I guess so it did sound good when rear it. Just worried about the coming home part

OP posts:

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 06/09/2021 11:39

Are you able to meet her at the bus stop?

CakeIsMyFavouriteAndBest · 06/09/2021 11:41

Seems a bit OTT. My secondary school daughter doesn't finish till 3.45 everyday and with some afterschool activities won't be finishing school till 4.45 several days. And then will have to travel home. Even my youngest in Yr 6 won't be finished till 4.30 a couple of times.
Better than the local secondary where they are out by 2.30 one day and hanging around town at 3pm every other day. No surprise which schools get the best exam results. (They start at the same time in the morning)

Original poster

Generalpost · 06/09/2021 11:43

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Are you able to meet her at the bus stop?

I can't because of the other children it would make it very difficult. Now I have read replies though I think I'm probably over thinking . In a few weeks or so she probably be making friends where she will want to go out /spend time with. She would be so embarrassed if I told her to be in by 3.30. So I'm probably not bring very logic.

OP posts:

Akire · 06/09/2021 11:44

Realistically leaving school at 320 or 4 isn’t going make huge difference. A stabbing is just as likely at 4 as 445 if you live in that sort of area.

I think OP means even if friend was on same bus then walking last part through a rough estate would have same risks. Could she ring you and talk to her as she walks? Then if at any point she sees anything or feels threatened you can offer advice and support?

Unless you have ability to move (and who
Lives in horrible place of can afford not to) learning feel confident and things improve safety will do more in long run. Having an alarm, not being afraid double back, knowing where can stop for help etc Even if you moved schools she may be desperate to do netball club on Monday and Wednesdays then you will be in same Boat.

Tiddlywinks10 · 06/09/2021 11:46

Could you and the other children meet her from the bus stop? Does she have a friend to walk with?

mocktail · 06/09/2021 11:48

For those asking, enrichment activities at our school just means after school clubs - sports, art, music, drama etc. I think a 4pm finish is fine, but I do understand your concern about her walking home on her own if you feel the area is unsafe. Is it likely any of her classmates will live nearby?

BigSandyBalls2015 · 06/09/2021 11:52

They grow up enormously in the first few weeks of secondary school, try not to worry. There will be lots of other students/people about at that time.

Caspianberg · 06/09/2021 11:53

I think 4pm is fairly standard as secondary, especially if these are extra classes. At secondary years ago I finished at 3.45pm, then bus home and walk. Home by 5/5.30 depending on traffic.

It’s dark leaving in the morning also.

I understand your worry with it being not a great area, but I assume there are still lots of people around at 4-6pm

BigSandyBalls2015 · 06/09/2021 11:56

and stabbings are usually gang related, it's very rare to hear of a random stabbing, particularly on a school girl!

Filthycop · 06/09/2021 12:04

This is booming more common - all work is done at school and not a lot of homework because it is being covered in school. I think it is a shock when they're Y7 but will settle in to it and they will travel with friends as they're all finsihing at the same time.

SheWoreYellow · 06/09/2021 12:09

I guess just see how it goes as it gradually gets darker though.

Curtyain · 06/09/2021 12:16

My 5 years old finishes school at 3.45. Starts at 8.35. Such a long day

RevolvingPivot · 06/09/2021 12:18

4pm!!! Wow I don't think thats fair. It should be optional.

My kids can do after school classes until 4pm but it's a 6 week rota. 9-3 is a long day as it is.

Could you say she has to collect a younger sibling? Did they only tell you the finishing time once she had started?

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